(July 24, 2015) For the first time ever, Spokane's Riverfront Park will be home to a spectacular show direct from China -- the Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival Spokane. The more than month-long event kicks off Sept. 26.

Tickets are on sale now for the five-week show, which runs through October.

"We believe this is the next big event -- like Hoopfest or Bloomsday -- to come to our area," said Sam Song, acting director of Riverfront Park and chair of the committee overseeing the Lantern Festival in Spokane. "Once people experience the huge displays, the cultural performances and the delicious food, we think this will become a can't-miss annual event."

Tickets can be purchased now through
TicketsWest and the Lantern Festival website. Starting September 26, tickets can also be purchased at the INB Performing Arts Center or the Riverfront Park ticket booth.

Evening sessions (seven days a week) - Adults, $17. Children, $12.

Day sessions (Sat/Sun) - Adults, $9. Children, $7.

Senior night (Mon/Tue) - $12.

The Festival includes more than 30 fully-lit, dazzlingly colorful displays, each one comprised of hundreds of parts. Highlights include a 196-foot dragon and a three-story pagoda. Additionally, there will be multiple, daily performances by Chinese artisans from Tianyu Culture, the Sichuan, China-based company presenting the Festival.

In addition to display viewing and live cultural performances, Festival attendees will also be able to choose from several dining options at the event.

Stay tuned because there will be more public announcements about the Lantern Festival as we head to the event countdown, which begins Sept. 1.

In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to visit the official website
to learn more.

The Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival Spokane is presented by Avista and sponsored by several additional organizations. The Festival, a creation of Tianyu Culture in Sichuan, China, is locally managed by the City of Spokane-Riverfront Park, Downtown Spokane Partnership, Visit Spokane and Tianyu USA.